Matthew 5:35

Berean Standard Bible

or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

King James Bible

Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

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Matthew 5:35, situated within the Sermon on the Mount, continues Jesus’ transformative teaching on oaths, building on his radical command in the preceding verse to “not swear an oath at all.” Here, he declares, “or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.” This verse, part of a larger discourse in Matthew 5:33-37, deepens Jesus’ critique of the oath-taking practices of his day, exposing their underlying irreverence and calling his followers to a life of unadorned truthfulness. To fully appreciate the weight of this verse, we must delve into its historical and cultural context, unpack its rich theological implications, and explore its enduring challenge to live with integrity in a world where words are often manipulated. Jesus’ teaching here is not merely a prohibition but a profound invitation to align our speech with the reality of God’s sovereignty, reflecting his character in every word we speak.

In the first-century Jewish context, oaths were a common feature of social, legal, and religious life, serving as a means to guarantee the truthfulness of a statement or the fulfillment of a promise. The Torah emphasized the sanctity of vows made in God’s name, as seen in passages like Leviticus 19:12, which warned against swearing falsely, and Deuteronomy 23:21, which stressed the importance of keeping one’s word to the Lord. However, by Jesus’ time, the practice had been distorted by the religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees, who developed elaborate distinctions between “binding” and “non-binding” oaths based on the objects invoked—such as heaven, earth, Jerusalem, or even one’s own head. These distinctions allowed people to make promises with apparent sincerity while reserving loopholes to evade accountability. For example, swearing by the earth or Jerusalem was considered less binding than swearing by God’s name directly, creating a hierarchy of oaths that undermined the very truth they were meant to uphold.

Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:35 directly challenge this manipulative system by asserting that swearing by the earth or Jerusalem is no less significant than swearing by God himself, for these are intimately connected to his divine authority. The earth, he declares, is God’s “footstool,” a vivid image drawn from Isaiah 66:1, where God proclaims, “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.” This metaphor underscores God’s sovereignty over all creation, portraying the earth not as a neutral object but as part of the divine domain, subject to his rule. Similarly, Jerusalem is not merely a city but “the city of the Great King,” a reference to Psalm 48:2, which celebrates Jerusalem as the dwelling place of God’s presence, the center of his covenant with Israel. By invoking these sacred realities, Jesus exposes the futility of using them as props in oaths, for they belong entirely to God and cannot be separated from his holiness. To swear by the earth or Jerusalem is to involve God himself, rendering any attempt to lessen the weight of such oaths both irreverent and absurd.

Theologically, this verse reveals Jesus’ authority as the one who fulfills the Law and reorients it toward the heart. His teaching is not a rejection of the Old Testament but a restoration of its true intent, calling his followers to a righteousness that surpasses the superficial piety of the Pharisees (Matthew 5:20). By prohibiting oaths altogether, Jesus shifts the focus from external formulas to the internal disposition of the heart, where true integrity resides. The earth as God’s footstool and Jerusalem as the city of the Great King are not mere symbols but reminders that all of life is lived in God’s presence. Every word we speak, whether in a solemn vow or a casual promise, is uttered before the One who rules over creation. This perspective transforms speech into an act of worship, where truthfulness reflects our reverence for God’s sovereignty and our participation in his kingdom.

The mention of Jerusalem as “the city of the Great King” carries particular resonance, given its significance in Jewish theology and identity. Jerusalem was the heart of Israel’s worship, home to the temple where God’s presence dwelt among his people. To swear by Jerusalem was to invoke its sacred status, yet Jesus reveals that such oaths are not a lesser category but a direct appeal to the God who chose the city as his own. This teaching would have been striking to Jesus’ audience, who saw Jerusalem as the pinnacle of their covenantal relationship with God. Yet, Jesus’ words also carry a subtle eschatological undertone, pointing to himself as the true fulfillment of Jerusalem’s purpose. As the Great King, he embodies God’s presence and reign, and his call to avoid oaths is an invitation to live in the reality of his kingdom, where truth needs no external validation because it flows from a heart transformed by grace.

The practical implications of Matthew 5:35 are profound, both for Jesus’ original audience and for believers today. By dismantling the hierarchy of oaths, Jesus calls his followers to a life of radical simplicity, where their word is trustworthy without the need for sacred props. This was a revolutionary demand in a culture where trust was often secured through elaborate vows, and it required a level of integrity that set Jesus’ disciples apart as a distinct community. Their speech was to be a testimony to the kingdom, reflecting the character of a God who is faithful in all he says and does. This vision of truthfulness fostered a community where mutual trust could flourish, grounded in shared allegiance to God’s reign rather than reliance on human mechanisms to enforce promises.

For modern readers, this teaching speaks with urgent relevance in a world where truth is often malleable and words are used to obscure rather than reveal. In our digital age, misinformation spreads rapidly, promises are broken with impunity, and language is frequently manipulated for personal or political gain. Jesus’ command to avoid swearing by the earth or Jerusalem challenges us to examine our own speech, asking whether our words reflect the integrity of God’s kingdom or the evasions of a fallen world. The earth, as God’s footstool, reminds us that all creation belongs to him, and our stewardship of it includes the words we speak. Jerusalem, as the city of the Great King, points us to Christ, the true King, whose life of perfect truthfulness is our model. To live out this teaching is to embrace a simplicity that is both liberating and demanding, where our “Yes” or “No” is enough because it flows from a heart aligned with God’s will.

This verse also invites reflection on the nature of Christian community. In a world marked by distrust, the church is called to be a place where truthfulness creates a foundation for authentic relationships. When believers speak with integrity, they build a community where promises are kept, conflicts are resolved with honesty, and love is expressed through reliable words. This requires not only discipline but humility, for we all stumble in our speech (James 3:2). Yet, Jesus’ teaching offers grace, pointing us to the cross where our failures are forgiven and our hearts are renewed. By living as a people whose words reflect God’s truth, the church becomes a sign of the kingdom, a living witness to the world of a God who keeps his promises.

Furthermore, Matthew 5:35 challenges us to see our speech as an act of stewardship under God’s sovereignty. The earth and Jerusalem are not ours to manipulate but gifts from the Creator, who rules over all. Every word we speak is an opportunity to honor him, to acknowledge that we live in a world saturated with his presence. This perspective transforms even mundane conversations into moments of worship, where truthfulness becomes a way of glorifying the Great King. It also anchors our commitment to truth in the gospel, for it is through Christ’s redeeming work that we are freed from the bondage of deceit and empowered to live authentically.

In conclusion, Matthew 5:35 is a powerful call to a life of radical truthfulness, where oaths are rendered unnecessary by the integrity of a heart transformed by Christ. By forbidding swearing by the earth or Jerusalem, Jesus reveals the sacredness of all creation under God’s rule and invites us to speak with a simplicity that reflects his kingdom. This teaching challenges us to examine our words, to foster communities of trust, and to live as witnesses to the God whose throne encompasses heaven and earth. In a world desperate for truth, the call to let our speech be plain and true is a radical act of faith, proclaiming the reign of the Great King whose word never fails. May we, as followers of Jesus, embrace this vision, letting our lives and words testify to the glory of the One who is the Truth, now and forever.

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Grace and peace to you, beloved brothers and sisters, who have been called by the unsearchable riches of God’s grace into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ, the King of glory and the Truth incarnate. I write to you with a heart ablaze with gratitude for the gospel that binds us as one, yet stirred with an urgent longing to exhort you to live lives that radiate the splendor of God’s kingdom. My soul rejoices in the hope we share through the Spirit, but it trembles at the weight of our calling to reflect the faithfulness of our God in a world dimmed by deception and fractured by broken words. Today, I turn your hearts to the words of our Savior in the fifth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, verse thirty-five, where he declares with divine authority, “or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.” These words, spoken on the mount, are not mere instruction but a divine summons to embody the truth of God’s sovereignty in our speech, to let our words shine as a testimony to the One who rules over all creation. Let us, therefore, delve into this teaching with reverence, that we may be transformed by its power and live as a people whose lives proclaim the glory of the Great King.

Consider, dear saints, the context of our Lord’s words, spoken to a people steeped in the traditions of the Law yet entangled in the subtleties of human invention. In the days of Moses, the command to keep vows made in God’s name was a sacred charge, for to swear by the Lord was to stand before his holiness, accountable to his truth. But by the time Jesus walked the earth, the practice of oath-taking had been twisted into a web of evasion. The religious leaders, with their intricate distinctions, taught that swearing by the earth or Jerusalem was less binding than invoking God’s name directly, creating loopholes for those who sought to appear truthful while shirking responsibility. Into this culture of manipulation, our Savior speaks with breathtaking clarity: “Do not swear an oath at all… or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.” With these words, he dismantles the false hierarchy of oaths, revealing that the earth and Jerusalem are not mere objects but sacred realities under God’s sovereign rule. To swear by them is to invoke the Creator himself, for the earth is his footstool and Jerusalem the city of his presence.

This teaching, beloved, is no mere correction but a revelation of the kingdom’s ethic, where truth flows from a heart transformed by grace. The earth, as God’s footstool, is not a trivial thing but a testament to his dominion, a place where his glory touches creation. Jerusalem, the city of the Great King, is the heart of God’s covenant with his people, the place where his name dwelt in the temple. By forbidding oaths by these sacred realities, Jesus reminds us that all of life is lived in God’s presence, and every word we speak is accountable to him. Theologically, this is a profound call to share in the life of Christ, who is the fulfillment of every promise, the true King whose reign encompasses both earth and heaven. In him, we see the perfect harmony of word and deed, and his command to avoid oaths is an invitation to reflect his integrity, to let our “Yes” be “Yes” and our “No” be “No,” unadorned by human props, because our speech is rooted in the truth of God himself.

Let us not overlook the radical nature of this teaching. In Jesus’ day, oaths were a crutch for a world where trust was fragile, a way to assure others in a culture marked by skepticism. By abolishing the need for oaths, Jesus calls us to a higher way, where our word alone is sufficient because it flows from a heart aligned with the kingdom. This is the righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, a righteousness not of external rituals but of inner fidelity, reflecting the God whose word never fails. The apostle James, echoing our Lord, urges us to let our words be plain, lest we fall under judgment (James 5:12). For what is an oath but an admission that our truthfulness needs bolstering? And what is the kingdom’s way but a life where our speech is a natural outflow of a soul surrendered to God? This is a call to live as a peculiar people, whose words stand out in a world of half-truths and broken promises.

Now, let us bring this truth into our present hour, for we live in an age where words are cheapened, where promises dissolve in the face of convenience, and where truth is often bent to serve selfish ends. In our digital world, misinformation spreads like wildfire, commitments are undermined by fine print, and even casual speech is tinged with exaggeration or deceit. Yet you, beloved, are called to be a light in this darkness, a community whose speech reflects the sovereignty of the Great King. When Jesus forbids swearing by the earth or Jerusalem, he speaks to us today, urging us to let our words be a mirror of his truth. In your workplaces, be known as those whose promises are as reliable as the earth under God’s feet, whose commitments need no embellishment because they are rooted in integrity. In your homes, model for your children a life where truth is a gift, building trust that reflects the faithfulness of our King. In your churches, let your conversations be marked by honesty and grace, free from the shadows of flattery or gossip, which are but whispers of the evil one’s deceit.

Practically, how shall we live out this teaching? First, let us seek the Spirit’s help to purify our hearts, for out of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). Ask God to reveal where you have been tempted to manipulate truth for gain or approval, and confess these failings, trusting in his mercy to renew you. Second, let us speak with intention, weighing our words as those who stand before the city of the Great King. Before you make a promise, consider whether you can keep it; before you speak, ask whether your words honor the God who rules over all. In your daily interactions, strive for simplicity, letting your “Yes” be as firm as the earth and your “No” as clear as the call of the gospel. When you falter—as we all do—run to the cross, where Christ’s truth covers our shortcomings and empowers us to rise again, speaking words that reflect his light.

Moreover, let us build communities where truth is the foundation of our fellowship. In a world marked by distrust, your love for one another, expressed in honest speech, will be a sign of God’s kingdom. Encourage one another to speak plainly, not out of fear but out of reverence for the God whose footstool is the earth. When conflicts arise, seek reconciliation through transparency, choosing words that heal rather than wound. Let your churches be havens of authenticity, where the world can see what it means to live under the reign of the Great King, whose city is a place of truth and grace. This is not a call to perfection but to faithfulness, trusting that the Spirit is at work in us, conforming us to the image of Christ, who is the fulfillment of Jerusalem’s promise.

Finally, let us anchor our truthfulness in worship, for it is in beholding the Great King that we are transformed. The God whose footstool is the earth, whose city is Jerusalem, calls us to a life where every word is an act of devotion. As you gather to worship, as you pray, as you meditate on his Word, let his truth shape your speech. Let your “Amen” in prayer be a pledge to live truthfully, a commitment to reflect the One who reigns forever. And let your lives proclaim the gospel, not only in what you say but in how you say it—with humility, courage, and love that points to the Savior.

Therefore, beloved, I urge you by the mercies of God to embrace the call of Matthew 5:35, to let your words be a reflection of the Great King’s truth, unadorned by oaths, unshaken by the pressures of this age. May your speech testify to the God whose footstool is the earth, whose city is Jerusalem, and whose Son has redeemed you. May you live as a people whose words are true, that the world may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. To him be all glory, honor, and power, now and forevermore. Amen.

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O Eternal God, you who reign supreme over heaven and earth, whose throne encompasses all creation and whose city shines as the dwelling place of your glory, we come before you with hearts humbled by your majesty and lifted by your grace. You are the Great King, whose word is truth, whose promises are fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. We gather in your holy presence, stirred by his teaching in the fifth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, where he declares with divine authority, “or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.” In these words, we hear your call to a life of unblemished truth, a summons to reflect your sovereign faithfulness in every word we speak, acknowledging that all we are and all we say is under your rule. So we lift our voices in prayer, seeking your mercy to purify our hearts and tongues, that we may live as a people whose speech honors your throne and proclaims your kingdom in a world shadowed by deceit.

We stand in awe, O Lord, of your sovereign dominion, for you have declared that the earth is your footstool, a sacred space where your glory touches creation, and Jerusalem is the city of the Great King, the heart of your covenant with your people. These are not mere places but testaments to your presence, reminders that all of life is lived under your watchful gaze. Yet, we confess with sorrow how often we have treated your creation and your city lightly, using words to bolster our own credibility rather than to glorify you. We have spoken carelessly, swearing by the earth or invoking sacred things, as if our truthfulness needed such props to be trusted. Our words have sometimes been tinged with evasion or exaggeration, falling short of the integrity you desire. Forgive us, merciful Father, for every moment we have diminished the truth, for every word that has not reflected your holiness. Cleanse us by the blood of your Son, and renew us by your Spirit, that our speech may be a reflection of your glory, pure and steadfast as the city of your presence.

We pray, O God, for the grace to embody the teaching of our Lord, who calls us to a life where oaths are unnecessary because our hearts are aligned with your kingdom. In Christ, we see the perfection of truth, for he is the Great King whose every word was a revelation of your will, whose life fulfilled every promise of your covenant. His command to avoid swearing by the earth or Jerusalem is not a mere prohibition but an invitation to share in his life, where word and deed are one. Grant us, we beseech you, the courage to speak with simplicity and sincerity, letting our “Yes” be as firm as the earth under your feet, our “No” as clear as the light of your city. Help us to see that every conversation, every promise, every word is an opportunity to worship you, to declare that you are the God whose footstool is the earth, whose city is Jerusalem, and whose truth endures forever.

We lift before you a world weary of broken trust and fractured words, where promises are made lightly and truth is twisted for gain. In this age of confusion, your church is called to be a beacon of your light, a community where truth flourishes because we are rooted in your Son. Empower us, Holy Spirit, to speak words that pierce the darkness of deception, words that heal, unite, and point to the hope of the gospel. For those among us who lead—pastors, teachers, and parents—grant wisdom to model truthfulness, that their words may build up the body of Christ and reflect your reign. For those in workplaces or communities, give them boldness to speak with integrity, showing the world what it means to live under the rule of the Great King. And for every believer, young and old, may our speech be a song of praise, a testimony to the God whose city is a place of truth and whose earth bears witness to his glory.

O Lord, we marvel at the mystery of your Son’s teaching, for he does not merely forbid oaths but frees us to live as a people whose words need no embellishment, whose truth is grounded in your grace. In him, we see the true Jerusalem, the city where your presence dwells fully, the King who has redeemed us and made us his own. As we abide in him, transform our hearts, for we know that truthful speech flows from a soul surrendered to you. Search us, O God, and purify our motives; let our words be a fragrant offering, pleasing to you, as we live under the shadow of your footstool. In our homes, may our conversations foster trust, weaving bonds of love that mirror your faithfulness. In our churches, may our speech be a balm, reconciling differences and building a fellowship where truth reigns. And in the world, may our words be a light, drawing others to the Savior who is the Great King.

We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who has called us to live as citizens of your city, where truth and love converge under your sovereign rule. May our speech, empowered by your Spirit, proclaim the gospel to a watching world, until that day when we stand before you, clothed in the righteousness of your Son, and every tongue confesses your glory. To you, O Father, be all honor, power, and majesty, now and forever. Amen.